Puerto Rico — Food and Restaurants

Puerto Rico’s nightlife is extremely varied and everything from salsa beats to laid back pubs are available. Most of the activity takes place in the larger cities as things tend to be quieter in the more remote areas. The country has a wide range of restaurants on offer allowing visitors to indulge in local delights or feast on familiar cuisine from home.

Puerto Rico Bars and Pubbing

Puerto Rico has a diverse and exciting nightlife offering everything from laid back bars to thumping discos and even eclectic live music in the local squares. Most of the best venues can be found in the capital of San Juan where all sorts of establishments – local and international – keep their doors open until the early hours of the morning. With a choice ranging from Top 40 hits to salsa and merengue, travelers will have somewhere to wet their whistle and tickle their fancy.

The more bohemian guests will love El Batey in San Juan (101 Calle del Cristo, San Juan). With the walls covered in local graffiti and the retro jukebox taking center stage, this is the perfect place to relax and listen to your most beloved sing along songs. A bit classier is Café Plaza in Ponce (3 Union Street, Ponce) which is popular with locals and tourists alike. There is often live music to set the tone and on weekends local DJs get the crowd’s energy up. There are several sidewalk tables perfect for people watching that tend to fill up quickly early in the night.

For travelers looking for an evening of dancing in Puerto Rico there is always the popular La Rumba in San Juan (152 San Sebastian Street, San Juan). The is what most people imagine when dreaming of Caribbean nightlife: a packed club pumping out the hottest salsa beats filled with everyone from professional dancers to first-timers.

Taking the tone down a notch is Blue Kafe in Ponce (Corner of Luna and Concordia Streets, Ponce). What starts off as a small multi-colored lounge turns into a large open-air courtyard perfect for knocking back a few drinks and having a quiet evening away from the larger discos.

Puerto Rico Dining and Cuisine

Puerto Rico has a variety of dining establishments, especially in the larger cities like San Juan. Most areas offer both local and international cuisine so you get the best of both worlds for a range of budgets. From five star luxury restaurants to cozy family-owned eateries, cuisine includes an abundance of rice and bean dishes which are staples in Spanish and Argentinean culture.

For a taste of island flavor visitors can try Ajili-Mojili in San Juan (1052 Avenue, Ashford, San Juan). This restaurant is a step back in time with the waiters wearing elegant hats and cigars displayed prominently around the room. Located in one of the city’s oldest mansions, Ajili-Mojili is perfect for those wanting a classy night out. Another local option that's more down-to-earth is Pamela’s (1 Santa Ana Road, San Juan). Conveniently situated right next to the beach, this favorite establishment serves up the best seafood in the city. It can get quite packed, especially on weekends so advance reservations are recommended.

If you're looking to mix it up, Dinghy Dock in Culebra (Calle Fulladoza, Cullebra) has an all-you-can-eat salad bar followed by an international menu that is simply mouth watering. The fish dishes are the restaurant’s forte. The Blue Macaw in Vieques (Calle Antonio, G Mellado, Vieques) is another great international choice which offers visitors a modern atmosphere and diners will find San Juan’s trendiest locals enjoying some of the best steaks in town.